CULTURAL ACTIVITIES UNDER THE UMAYYADS The rapid growth of Islamic scientific thoughts is one of the most instructive and astonishing events in human history. This process started after the death of Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet had left behind the Glorious Quran and example of his noble path for the growing community of believers, among whom were his companions from Makkah, learned scholars, statesmen and experts in military matters. This community provided the nucleus for the future growth of a worldwide Muslim society. Within fifty years of the Prophet’s death, the Muslims commanded a vast area, covering the territories that had belonged to two ancient empires, and laid down the foundations of administrative, judicial, financial and educational systems based on Islamic principles. Shortly after establishment of this infrastructure, Muslim scientists started their efforts to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Thus under the Umayyads, astronomy, physics, medicine, alchemy and other branches of science developed into organized subjects. True to the teachings of the Holy Prophet, Muslim scholars also enriched themselves by learning from other civilizations. They imbibed the Greek philosophy and scientific discoveries of the ancient world, thus preserving a rich scientific heritage for later generations.
